Lot 1750. A rare small blue-enameled shell-form ink palette, Qianlong four-character seal mark in iron red and of the period  (1736-1795); 3 in. (7.6 cm.) long. Estimate $10,000 - $15,000. Price Realized $80,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

Modeled in the shape of a flattened conch shell with granular surface covered in bright blue enamel, the flat palette area covered in a pale blue-green tinted clear glaze within raised outer edges retaining traces of gilding, as do the three small shell-shaped feet on the underside, box.

Provenance: Acquired in 1973. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, 24 March 2011, New York, Rockefeller Plaza